DOJ Indicts 30 More in Minnesota Church Protest

Attorney General Pam Bondi announced on Friday, February 27, 2026, that a federal grand jury has indicted an additional 30 individuals for their alleged roles in a protest that disrupted a worship service at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, on January 18.

Scope of the Charges and Arrests

The new indictments bring the total number of individuals charged in connection with the incident to 39.

• Conspiracy and Civil Rights Violations: All defendants are charged with conspiracy against religious freedom and interfering with the exercise of religious freedom, violating the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act.
• Arrests Made: According to the Attorney General, 25 of the 30 newly indicted individuals were arrested on Friday, with further arrests anticipated.
• Initial Defendants: These charges follow the high-profile arrests of journalist Don Lemon, journalist Georgia Fort, and civil rights activist Nekima Levy Armstrong, who have previously pleaded not guilty.

Context of the Protest

The January 18 demonstration was organized to protest federal immigration enforcement operations in Minnesota. Protesters targeted Cities Church upon learning that one of its pastors also serves as an acting director for a local U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) field office.

“YOU CANNOT ATTACK A HOUSE OF WORSHIP. If you do so, you cannot hide from us — we will find you, arrest you, and prosecute you. This Department of Justice STANDS for Christians and all Americans of faith.”

— Attorney General Pam Bondi

Legal Defense and Press Freedom Concerns

The prosecution has drawn sharp criticism from civil rights groups and press freedom advocates, who argue that the application of federal conspiracy charges against protesters and journalists is intimidation.